Ah, tax season! That magical time of the year when we all gather ‘round the computer to figure out just how much of our hard-earned cash Uncle Sam is planning to give back. But beware! While you’re dreaming of that sweet refund, scammers are plotting to snatch it right out from under your nose. Here’s a fun (and important) guide to help you keep your refund safe and scammer-free.

The Scam Setup

Picture this: You receive a text or email from what looks like the IRS or your state tax office. The message claims they’ve “processed” or “approved” your tax refund. Yay, right? Wrong! This is not how you’ll learn about your refund. Instead, the message asks you to click a link to “verify your identity” by entering your Social Security and bank account numbers. If you do, you might as well be handing your personal info directly to a scammer on a silver platter.

Why It’s a Scam

Let’s get one thing clear: The real IRS and state tax offices will never, and I mean NEVER, reach out to you via text, email, or social media asking for personal information. Those messages? They’re from scammers. Clicking links and sharing your info can lead to not only losing your tax refund but also having your identity stolen. Yikes!

Staying Scam-Free

  1. Ignore and Delete: If you receive one of these sketchy messages, don’t respond or click any links. Instead, delete it faster than you can say “phishing scam.”

  2. Check Your Status Safely: Curious about your refund status? Don’t rely on random messages. Visit USA.gov for the official scoop on federal and state refunds.

  3. Report the Scam: Use your phone’s “report junk” option or forward those unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM). For emails, mark them as spam or junk. Help the good guys catch the bad guys!

  4. Stay Prepared: Visit IdentityTheft.gov/steps to learn how to protect yourself before identity theft even gets the chance to happen. Plus, if you do spot a scam, give the FTC a heads-up at ReportFraud@ftc.gov.

Remember, keeping your personal information safe during tax season is just as important as filing your taxes. With these tips, you can make sure your refund gets to where it belongs—your bank account!

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Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/01/text-or-email-about-your-tax-refund-scam